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Overview

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie “As enthralling as a detective story.” — New York Times Book Review In Mary Queen of Scots, John Guy creates an intimate and absorbing portrait of one of history’s most famous women, depicting her world and her place in the sweep of history with stunning immediacy. Bringing together all surviving documents and uncovering a trove of new sources for the first time, Guy dispels the popular image of Mary Stuart as a romantic leading lady—achieving her ends through feminine wiles—and establishes her as the intellectual and political equal of Elizabeth I. Through Guy’s pioneering research and superbly readable prose, we come to see Mary as a skillful diplomat, maneuvering ingeniously among a dizzying array of factions that sought to control or dethrone her. It is an enthralling, myth-shattering look at a complex woman and ruler and her time. “The definitive biography . . . gripping . . . a pure pleasure to read.” — Washington Post Book World First published in 2004 as Queen of Scots

Product Details

About the Author

John Guy is an award-winning historian of Tudor England. A Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, he is the author of Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart, a major international bestseller that won the Whitbread Award and the Marsh Biography Award and was a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist. His other books include A Daughter's Love: Thomas More and His Dearest Meg; Thomas Becket: Warrior, Priest, Rebel; and a landmark, bestselling history of Tudor England.

Editorial Reviews

As enthralling as a detective story.”—The New York Times Book Review “Recent royal shenanigans look tame compared with what John Guy unearths.”—Entertainment Weekly “The definitive biography . . . gripping . . . a pure pleasure to read.”—The Washington Post Book World “Reads like Shakespearean drama, with all the delicious plotting and fresh writing to go with it.”—The Atlantic Constitution Journal “Spirited and satisfying. . . . Guy’s account has all the twists and turns of a good thriller—and plenty of horror, too.”—Kirkus Reviews “A triumph of biography, artistry, and historical detective work. John Guy has produced a masterpiece, full of fire and tragedy.”—Amanda Foreman, author of Georgiana “[An] absorbing biography . . . meticulously researched . . . scholarly and intriguing.”—Peter Ackroyd, The Times of London “Rarely have first-class scholarship and first-class storytelling been so effectively combined.”—Daily Telegraph “A definitive biography. . . . Reads as thrillingly as a detective story, and is rich in detail and authoritative in its analysis.”—The Sunday Times “I couldn't put this book down. . . . Never before has [Mary's story] been told with such detail, accuracy, insight and drama.”—Scotland on Sunday

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart 4.7 out of 5based on
0 ratings.
8 reviews.

EugeneTX

More than 1 year ago

Thiss a truly magnificent read. Well researched and documented it is a truly absorbing biography. If you have read other books on the same subject and think you have made up your mind, read this one with an open mind and try to imagine how it would be trying to manage a kingdom when it seemed like everyone was against you at every turn. Obviouly psychologically and physically abused by subjects and husbands, it is amazing that she made it as far as she did. A woman with true grit who probably could have been an outstanding Queen if just given the chance. Don't miss this book.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This is really exciting history, even if you have read about Mary with other authors, it will surprise you. The great dangers of the life she had to lead are made so clear - she was always known to have been hugely physically attractive, but she is shown to be much braver, cleverer and stronger than previously thought. The research is fascinating, makes sense of the new view of Mary. There are lots of personal details,which makes the story very real and immediate - I could not stop reading. Last time I did that was with the Antonia Fraser biography, years ago.

Angelic55blonde on LibraryThing

3 months ago

This is a very thorough and interesting account about Mary Queen of Scots. The author, John Guy, attempts to answer the questions of the murder of her husband Lord Darnley, the marriage of Mary to Bothwell, and her plots against Elizabeth I. The author depicts Mary not as a "femme fatale" as many other historians have. He believes that she did not conspire to murder her husband. What is interesting is the extent to which the author explains the plot against Darnley and the whole marriage to Bothwell. He shows it from Mary's side, the lords' sides, and Bothwell's side.This is a long read (500 pages) but it is well worth it. John Guy is an exceptional writer and he sheds light on this very intriguing topic of Mary Queen of Scots who became queen as an infant and was beheaded after 18 years in captivity under Elizabeth I.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

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More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Couldn't be a more perfect voice to narrate the tumultuous life of Mary Stuart than the author John Guy. An unparalleled historian and consultant to BBC, Mr. Guy reads with depth and understanding as he traces the years of the doomed queen from her youth spent in France to her execution. There has not been a biography of Mary Stuart written in over a quarter of a century, and this is based on newly discovered documents that shed light on this enigmatic woman who has been presented as one who ruled emotionally rather than cerebrally. It is, of course, a first rate bio that reads as excitingly as any contemporary drama. Listeners who enjoy not only history but an up close look at court machinations, plotting, and subterfuge will be enthralled by Mr. Guy's epic study. Offering previously ignored evidence, the author posits that she was wrongfully incarcerated and finally beheaded, framed by her enemies. Hers was indeed a life that stands larger than the most imaginative fiction. - Gail Cooke

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This is the best book ive ever read on Mary, the author starts out slow in the first 3 chapters but after that u cant stop reading! He really gives a more human and impressive account of Mary's story, not only does it entrap you but you know what ur reading its accurate b/c he relies on Mary's letters and documents of the age, this book its excellent and if u want to read on teh Queen of Scots ull want to read this book

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